Psychoanalysis is a dialogue between an analysand - a person who is being analysed, and a psychoanalyst - a person who has received a training in psychoanalysis at a recognised institute of psychoanalysis, is recognised as a psychoanalyst by a professional psychoanalysis body, is bound by the ethical code of the professional psychoanalysis body, and who practices psychoanalysis. An analysand and psychoanalyst work through the problems the analysand is experiencing.

 

Psychoanalysis is based on the idea that the unconscious contains ideas of which a person is unaware, but which exert a dynamic effect on them in the form of ideas, actions, dreams, desires and symptoms. Psychoanalysis is a method of bringing into consciousness the unconscious meaning of some of these ideas, actions, dreams, desires and symptoms, which can lead to deep personal insight. To assist in this process, the analysand free associates - speaks what is on their mind without censorship.

 

The psychoanalyst listens attentively, interprets the resistance - material which obstructs free association, and interprets the transference - how the analysand relates to the analyst based on childhood relationships with significant others. Psychoanalysis is a set of theories and techniques derived from observations made by analysts. A psychoanalyst uses particular theories and techniques during a psychoanalysis, depending on their training, and the problems the analysand is experiencing.

 

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